Birdman
Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance (2014)
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
Riggan Thomson (Micheal Keaton), is a washed-up
Hollywood actor who was most famous for playing the superhero ‘Birdman’ many
years ago. Riggan turns to writing, directing and starring in a Broadway play
in an attempt to revive his fallen carreer. During rehearsals, a light falls
onto one of the actors in the play, an actor Riggan does not like. Riggan tells
the producer (Zach Galifianakis) Jake that he made the light fall in order to
replace the actor. Riggan then casts the well-known volatile method actor Mike
(Edward Norton), who thinks he owns the theatre. After reading the previews Riggan
is convinced that Mike stole his spotlight. During the problems accruing with his
play Riggan also has to deal with his family problems especially his young
daughter Sam (Emma Stone) that has just got out of rehab, while struggling with
his ego ‘Birdman’ inside of him.
Narrative Structure
The narrative structure of Birdman is linear. The story
follows the character of Riggan Thomson in chronological order (beginning, middle
and end). The story does not have cut to past/future events of the story and
therefore is not non-linear. Alejandro González Iñárritu had defended the way
of how a story can be told. Audiences are hooked from the opening scene as it
follows the story (and changing between all the characters) throughout the
whole film.
Cinematography
The Cinematography of Birman puts the viewer in the mind and
point of view of an actor who is slowly losing his mind. The film gives the
illusion that it is done with one long single continuous take.
Editing, Sound and Lighting
The film creates the feeling that the viewer is following
the main character and they have achieved this by creating the illusion that it is done in one shot. Through the
use of clever editing techniques, really long takes and some really skilled
actors they have accomplished that. Because it has been filmed like one
continuous shot the film has this ferocity, the theme of being unpredictable
that is mirrored by its drum only soundtrack. Which also feels as it was made
up in the moment. The soundtrack is very jazzy, creating the feeling of being
unpredictable, simpler to how the film also feels that way. The film looks like one long take, however considering Birdman's visual style, which features
complex steady-cam and handheld camera movements that travels around the whole
massive ‘maze-like set’ having any traditional lighting is nearly
impossible. The obvious solution is to build as many practical sources
into the set as possible, which allows for freedom of character and camera
movement while maintaining a naturalistic sense of light.
Function and Purpose
The function and purpose of this film shows how being famous
shows Riggan’s popularity and fame. During the scenes where ‘Birdman’ appears
and Riggan is flying, it symbolises his own fame is rising and that he is
invincible. Riggan also hears the voice of ‘Birdman’ telling him to do certain
things that help with the story. He is fighting with his own inner ego, while
trying to recover his family, his carrier and himself.
Filmmaker history
Alejandro González Iñárritu is a Mexican film director,
whose 1999 film ‘Amores Perros’ won an Academy Award Nomination for Best
Foreign Language Film. In his early career, Alejandro started out as a DJ. Soon
composing soundtracks for Mexican films and TV adverts. He then started growing
a strong passion for film and went to the United State to study film directing.
Alejandro then turned to creating long featured films such as Adriana Barraza,
Rinko and Kikuchi which received seven Oscar nomination (including Best Picture
and other directing categories)
Films genre
The genre of the film Birman is a black comedy that explores
morbid humour. The humour makes light of the subject matter. The tone of the
film is empathetic and acidic that shows a strong connection with the audience
looking for an original story that will make them watch something that they
haven’t seen before. The film explores drama conventions by including props
such as drugs, guns and alcohol. These props can be seen clearly in the film
and fits in with the drama and black comedy elements of the film. The film is
set in a theatre and the city and gives the film a gritty look that appeals to
its genre.
